NetZero 4G Personal Mobile HotSpot Tech Review + $300 Val Giveaway, Ends 12/26/12

Technology
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Hurry! Giveaway Ends 12/26/12

Loyal Mommy Blog Expert readers know how intense my family of six, including four teenagers (triplets plus big brother born just a year apart), my hubbie and I are about embracing the latest wireless mobile technology. Having acquired a new Motorola XYBoard Tablet, another iPad, and a Nokia Lumia smart phone within the past month alone, our wireless device collection continues to expand, now numbering over 18 laptops, tablets, readers, cell phones, smart phones and other devices -- and is showing no signs of slowing growth any time soon. 

So when I was asked to do a review and giveaway of the NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot MiFi wireless router product which was just released in March 2012, I realized I couldn't have been selected for a more practical blogging assignment. This is such a cool family-friendly tech tool because it has the capability to provide portable Internet service on the go, connecting up to eight devices simultaneously. For sure with our tech focused lifestyle, this is a product and service that my very wired family needed badly.

NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot comes with a USB cable & wall charger

Apparently we are not unlike other wired family households, part of a much larger consumer trend that reveals an ever-increasing appetite for more and better mobile connected devices. The statistics back this reality up. According to CEA research, smartphone revenue is expected to crest $37 billion next year (16% increase over 2012) and tablet sales are expected to surpass 105 million units, the equivalent of $35.6 billion in sales (a whopping 54% more than this year).

So, without further adieu, here is my hands-on experience report. 

Setting up the NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot, which comes with its own micro USB cable, rechargeable battery, wall charger, Getting Started Guide and connection software CD, was a breeze. The device comes partially charged so you can start using it instantly right out of the box. All that's needed to get it working is the required Activated NetZero 4G Mobile Broadband Service and a Wi-Fi enabled device and you are in business. There are no activation fees, contract commitments or overage charges. 

The device sells for $99.95 but as this post goes to press the brand has a special offer running for just $49.98 for the device (including the first month of service free as a bonus) for a limited time only. The service coverage area map shows coverage across the U.S. in and near 80 cities including all major metropolitan areas and most larger cities. However there will be times when there is no signal if you are outside these areas, especially in remote parts of the country. With that said, it's highly recommended that you check the NetZero coverage map  -- like you would when signing up for any cell phone service -- to ensure this is the right solution for you.

Four NetZero 4G Mobile Broadband Service Plans are available

• $9.95/month, 500MB
• $19.95/month, 1GB
• $34.95/month, 2GB
• $49.95/month, 4GB

With this mobile hot spot's 6-hour battery life, I've already discovered that it is particularly handy on the go while traveling around my hometown of Los Angeles by car with family because it is portable and compact, measuring just 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" square and weighing only 4.4 ounces. 

In fact this gadget is so tiny it fits in my over-crowded handbag! Already my high school kids are loving this, benefiting from using it because they have access to the Internet enroute to and from home and school and can now work on their homework on their laptops and tablets while I drive. We do a lot of family vacation trips, too, so I plan to bring this along whenever we travel.

This is also going to be great for me to use when I travel for business and I expect it to be invaluable when I cover the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas in January because I'll have Wi-Fi access on both my iPhone 5 and my iPad 2 as well as any new laptops, tablets or smartphones I may receive for review during the conference.

This is too good of a technology product to keep to myself. So I am thrilled to let you know that NetZero has provided a NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot MiFi device plus 3 months of Platinum service (a $300 value) for Mommy Blog Expert to give away on this blog. Read on to find out how you can win this awesome and useful prize that busy moms, dads, kids and whole families will definitely appreciate.

NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot 
Plus 3 Months Free Service

Prize valued at $300

GIVEAWAY

Ends 12/26/12

NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot out of the box

HOW TO ENTER

Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends December 26, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive the NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot device plus three months of free Platinum Service. The prize package has a total value of $300. Winner will be selected at random from all entries received and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying what why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow MBE on Twitter 

2. Like MBE on Facebook
3. Follow MBE on Pinterest
4. Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert
5. Follow NetZero on Twitter
6. Like NetZero on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***

You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet to copy and paste:

I entered to WIN a NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot w/ Mobile Wi-Fi Service $300 val GIVEAWAY, you should too http://tinyurl.com/chortvn

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Thanks to Online-Sweepstakes.com for including this contest in their directory of current giveaways.

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and  NetZero partnered to provide me with this compensated review opportunity. Thoughts are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.